Slides in this set

Slide 1

Slide 2

Physical Properties A transition metal is a d block element that has a partially filled d-subshell of electrons. All transition metals have high melting points ­ above 1000°C This is due to strong metallic bonding as both the 3d and 4s subshell electrons are available for delocalisation…read more

Slide 3

Electron Configurations In the neutral transition metal atoms, the 4s subshell is at a lower energy state and so is filled first NB ­ Cr and Cu are anomalous because their 4s subshell only contains 1 electron When the elements form positive ions, the electrons are pulled closer to the nucleus. This is particularly strong in the 3d subshell and causes 3d to become a lower energy state than 4s The result of this is that 4s electrons are always lost first!…read more

Slide 4

Chemical Properties There are four distinctive properties of transition metals:1. They are good catalysts2. They are coloured compounds3. They can exist in different oxidation states in compounds4. They form complex ions…read more

Slide 5

1. Catalysts They are good catalysts because of their variable oxidation states This means they may allow an alternative reaction pathway with a lower activation energy They can also act as solid catalysts because of their partially filled d subshells, which allow dative bonds between reactants and the transition metal surface…read more

Slide 6

1. Catalysts Transition metals work as catalysts via three steps: 1. Adsorption ­ weak dative bonds form between reactant molecules and transition metal surfaces therefore weakening the molecular bonds of the reactant2. Reaction ­ this occurs faster because the activation energy has been lowered due to the partially broken molecular bonds 3. Desorption ­ weak dative bonds break…read more